In the world of football, few players have demonstrated the same versatility and consistency as Trent Alexander-Arnold. Since debuting for Liverpool in 2016, Alexander-Arnold has amassed 310 appearances, a testament to his durability and importance to the squad. Now 25, he is preparing for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign, ready to add to his already impressive legacy.
A Versatile Talent
Alexander-Arnold has shown his adaptability on various fronts, featuring predominantly as a right-back for Liverpool, yet capable of swinging into midfield when the situation demands. His flexibility is not confined to club duties; he has also played in midfield for England in six of his last seven starts. Interestingly, his early years with Michael Beale in the Under-15s age group saw him operating as a centre-half and full-back. "Before the Under-16s, he'd played as a centre-half and a full-back," recalled Tim Jenkins, a former analyst and assistant coach for Liverpool's Under-21s.
His development was continuous and meticulously guided. "He'd played in midfield in Pep Lijnders' Under-16s, at the base of the diamond," Jenkins noted, adding that the young player was “right in the middle of the pitch and involved in everything.” Under Neil Critchley with the Under-18s, Alexander-Arnold's role evolved further to harness his physical capabilities, playing as a right winger or a right full-back.
Professional Growth
The 2018-19 season marked one of Alexander-Arnold’s landmark achievements, registering the third-highest tally of assists in the Premier League with 12, only to surpass it the following season with 13 assists, second only to Kevin de Bruyne. His creative prowess was further underlined in the 2021-22 campaign, where his tally of 12 assists was bettered only by Mohamed Salah. Jenkins notes, "More recently, he's been able to move inside into the half-space and deliver from there. Trent has had an ideal skill set to adapt to how the game has changed."
Alexander-Arnold's statistics from last season are equally compelling. His average of 5.25 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League and Europa League placed him in the 99th percentile among full-backs in Europe's top five divisions. He also excelled in expected assisted goals per 90 (0.37) and passes attempted (87.71), and ranked in the 98th percentile for progressive passes (8.69). His ability to switch play, ranking third among outfielders in the Premier League with 32 switches, further defines his all-rounded ability.
The Evolution of a Modern Full-Back
Reflecting on his journey, former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, and Republic of Ireland player Jason McAteer emphasized the evolving role of a full-back in modern football. "Today's full-back is a lot more like a wing-back. You've got to get forward. You've got to get balls into the box. And you have this hybrid role where you come into midfield," he explained. McAteer also compared Alexander-Arnold's development to his own: "I started as a right-back and progressed into playing on the right wing."
Challenges and Adaptations
Despite his offensive prowess, Alexander-Arnold has faced criticism for his defensive capabilities, particularly when deployed as a deep-lying midfielder for England. "Trent's weakest attribute is his defending and he was playing as a deep-lying midfielder. He was great on the ball, but without it, he was exposed and he became a bit of a scapegoat," McAteer observed. Yet, McAteer and Jenkins alike recognize that his offensive contributions often outweigh these concerns. "If you see footage of him playing when he was little, he was basically the same player. You'd see all the driving runs, the physical attributes, his ball-striking and his passing over distance," Jenkins remarked.
As Liverpool heads into the new season, speculation continues regarding Alexander-Arnold's future. His contract expires in the summer, and he has been linked to Real Madrid. However, his current focus remains steadfast with Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold's journey reflects not only personal growth but also the shifting roles within modern football. “Klopp would say that sometimes Trent will be on the outside, sometimes he’ll be on the inside – wherever he is, he’s just going to be Trent,” Jenkins concluded.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of football, Trent Alexander-Arnold stands as a sterling example of adaptability, creativity, and enduring class. As he prepares for yet another campaign with Liverpool, fans and analysts alike will be watching keenly to see how this next chapter unfolds.